Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Cooper Rush vs Jayden DanielsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.3 PPG to Cooper Rush's 11.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jayden Daniels is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jayden Daniels outscored Cooper Rush by 5.2 PPG in 2025 with 10 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jayden Daniels is the clear pick. Cooper Rush profiles as a matchup-dependent quarterback who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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QBDallas Cowboys#99

Cooper Rush

PPG

11.1

Games

Pass Yds

1,985

Pass TDs

Bye

Week 7

QBWashington Commanders#17PPG LEADER

Jayden Daniels

PPG

16.3

Games

Pass Yds

1,262

Pass TDs

Rush Yds

278

Rush TDs

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Cooper Rush

Jayden Daniels

Head to Head

11.1 PPG16.3 PPG

10 GP7 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Cooper Rush: Tier 5 (Deep League) QB (ranked #99 at the position). Jayden Daniels: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) QB (ranked #17 at the position). Among the top 32 quarterbacks this season, Cooper Rush is producing at 50% of elite pace and Jayden Daniels at 74%. That ranking gap means Jayden Daniels carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Cooper Rush vs Jayden Daniels: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Cooper Rush and Jayden Daniels for your lineup, you are not alone. Cooper Rush finished the 2025 season at 11.1 PPG for the Dallas Cowboys (10 games), and Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 for the Washington Commanders (7 games).

That 5.2-point weekly advantage for Jayden Daniels is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both lean on arm talent and offensive scheme as traditional pocket passers. Cooper Rush threw for 1985 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Jayden Daniels posted 1262 yards and 8 scores. Volume, red zone efficiency, and game script are the key week-to-week differentiators when neither carries rushing upside.

Both share a Week 7 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking quarterbacks this deep on your bench, plan your replacement quarterback early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Jayden Daniels is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Cooper Rush is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Cooper Rush (age 27) is in his prime window. Peak production now with steady value for the next 3-4 seasons. Jayden Daniels (age 25) is in the early stages of his career with 5+ years of starter-caliber upside. His dynasty value is rising.

Did You Know?

•Jayden Daniels outscored Cooper Rush by a projected 88 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Cooper Rush played 10 games in 2025 compared to Jayden Daniels's 7. That durability gap means Cooper Rush contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Cooper Rush scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at quarterback.
•Both players share a Week 7 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Cooper Rush vs Jayden Daniels: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Cooper Rush	Jayden Daniels
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.1	16.3
Games Played	10	7
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	111	114
Passing Yards	1,985	1,262
Passing TDs	12	8
Pass Yds/Game	198.5	180.3
Rushing Yards	28	278
Rushing TDs	0	2
Total TDs	12	10
TDs/Game	1.2	1.4
Age	-	25
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jayden Daniels at 16.3 PPG, 5.2 points per game above Cooper Rush's 11.1. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cooper Rush or Jayden Daniels in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jayden Daniels has the edge at 16.3 PPG compared to Cooper Rush's 11.1 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Cooper Rush and Jayden Daniels average in 2025?▾

Cooper Rush averaged 11.1 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Jayden Daniels averaged 16.3 PPG over 7 games. That is a difference of 5.2 points per game.

Do Cooper Rush and Jayden Daniels share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Cooper Rush and Jayden Daniels share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at quarterback for that week.

Is Cooper Rush or Jayden Daniels a better fantasy quarterback in 2026?▾

Jayden Daniels outscored Cooper Rush by 5.2 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.